But some poems can cross that boundary. I have recited “Dulce et Decorum Est” to people who say this and suddenly they are trembling. They immediately see the point of poetry, and that is a ...

That same idea is anticipated in the grief stricken, angry, ironic poem written by Barnaby Gouge in the 16th Century. Gouge's poem is only 10 lines long. It's entitled simply: "Of Money." ...

Seriously, no matter what they're about, poems succinctly express images, emotions, ideas, messy psychological truths, and more. Let them teach you what you need to be taught. These seven are good ...

I approach people in the street and say: “Excuse me for bothering you, do you have a favourite poem? If so, I can try and recite it from memory.” The majority of responses will be, “Don’t ...